Hamas Vs. Israel: Moral Fog Awards

Those who refuse to grasp the simple, stark truth.

In the current conflict, there are those who refuse to grasp the simple, stark truth.

Although the distinction between Israel and Hamas couldn't be clearer – between a democratic nation and a terrorist organization, between the victim and the aggressor, between a society that protects its civilians and one that uses them as human shields, and between a military that operates by a strict code of conduct and a group governed by no scruples whatsoever – some consider all that irrelevant, unimportant, or beside the point. When moral clarity is needed, they live in a moral fog.

Here, among a larger pool of candidates and in no particular order, are my winners for Moral Fog Awards:

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said: "We have been witnessing this systematic genocide every Ramadan since 1948. Now, [Israel's] barbarism has surpassed even Hitler's."

But, then again, what else would we expect from the recipient of the Muammar Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights (named for the late Libyan strongman), host of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (who is wanted for genocide by the International Criminal Court), and author of the unforgettable statement, "A Muslim could never commit genocide"?

African National Congress Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte, who declared: "The African National Congress (ANC) condemns in the strongest terms the barbaric attacks on the defenseless Palestinian people of Gaza."
She continued: "As we move towards the month of August and are reminded of [the] atrocities of Nazi Germany, surely we must ask the people of Israel has the term ‘lest we forget' lost it meaning. The state of Israel has turned the occupied territories of Palestine into permanent death camps. The killing of any child irrespective of race color or creed must be condemned."

Maybe a visit to "the defenseless Palestinian people of Gaza" would educate Ms. Duarte about a small strip of land with an arsenal of more than 10,000 rockets and an elaborate underground network of terror tunnels, or perhaps a journey to Gaza's border with Egypt to see that Cairo has sealed it. And then, perhaps a visit to several Nazi extermination factories, from Auschwitz to Belzec, would show Ms. Duarte what real death camps were like.

The Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), purporting to speak on behalf of 120 member countries, announced: "[Operation Protective Edge] has once again reminded the world of the sad tragedy of the Palestinian nation and flagrant breach of rules and principles of international law by the Zionists." The statement added that Israel is "employing the most lethal weapons against the defenseless inhabitants."

But then again, in another telling reminder of the state of the world, the current chair of this group, comprising well over half the globe's nations, is Iran – yes, Iran – and the speaker was Iran's president. What's astonishing is not his comment about Israel, a country he won't even cite by name, but rather that some democratic members of NAM allow Tehran to speak in their name.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who asserted that Israel's latest attacks have "initiated a higher phase of its policy of genocide and extermination with the ground invasion of Palestinian territory, killing innocent men, women, girls and boys."

He added: "Venezuela also rejects the cynical campaigns trying to condemn both parties equally, when it is clear you cannot morally compare occupied and massacred Palestine with the occupying state, Israel, which also possesses military superiority and acts on the margins of international law."

Coming from the leader of a country that is Iran's best friend in Latin America, staunch ally of Syrian President – and war criminal – Bashir Assad, home to a Hezbollah branch, and hotbed of state-sponsored anti-Semitism, what else would we expect from Maduro?

British Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament David Ward, who tweeted, "The big question is - if I lived in #Gaza would I fire a rocket? - Probably yes." He continued, "Ich bin ein #Palestinian - the West must make up its mind - which side is it on?"

Ward's astonishing comment stands in stark contrast to British Prime Minister David Cameron, who has shown an admirable understanding of the stark realities on the ground – and the true nature of Hamas as an enemy of Western values.

Italian Philosopher Gianna Vattimo, who said, "I'd like to shoot those bastard Zionists." When asked on air whether he would like to see more Israelis killed, Vattimo, who described himself as "a non-violent person," responded: "Of course!" He also said that Israel was "a bit worse than the Nazis."

No wonder Italian Jewish leaders have denounced Vattimo as an out-and-out anti-Semite, given his views on Israel and Zionism and his belief that there's truth to the infamous "Protocols of the Elders of Zion." By the way, he's not just Italy's problem. As a professor, he has been a visiting faculty member at several American universities. Students beware!

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

In two separate incidents, UNRWA "discovered" rockets stored inside its own school grounds in Gaza. Instead of confiscating or destroying the weapons, reports indicate that the agency returned the deadly rockets to "local authorities," meaning Hamas.

The only surprise here is that anyone would be surprised, considering UNRWA is a refugee agency created more than 60 years ago not to resettle anyone, but rather to provide welfare to , and stoke the revanchist anger of, Palestinian refugees and generations of descendants – not to mention its disturbing pattern of looking the other way on incitement and terrorism.

Jewish Voice for Peace, which released a statement titled, "Jews across the U.S. Oppose the Assault on Gaza." The group called "for an end to the devastating assault on Gaza" and claimed that the "violence has a root cause: Israel's illegal occupation."

From an organization most recently seen in Detroit joining with pro-BDS supporters at the Presbyterian Church's General Assembly, it's not surprising that, once again, it identifies with Israel's adversaries.

Amnesty International, which has now initiated a petition calling on the French government to impose an embargo on arms exports to Israel.

When it comes to all things Israel, Amnesty cannot be described as particularly sensitive or sympathetic. But calling for an arms embargo against the only democratic nation in the region while Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and a range of other actors all seek Israel's destruction takes things to a new level. Indeed, it is tantamount to wishing for Israel's end.

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which, on Wednesday, voted, 29-1, with 17 abstentions, in favor of a resolution assigning blame for the conflict to Israel and absolving Hamas of any responsibility, and calling for a "commission of inquiry," reminiscent of the one-sided Goldstone Commission created after the Israel-Hamas war in 2008-9—whose report was eventually repudiated in large part by Judge Richard Goldstone himself.

That China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, and 11 members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference voted in favor came as little surprise, but that such democratic countries as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and the Philippines lent their support to this travesty is disappointing. But, then again, the UN Human Rights Council has obsessively focused on Israel more than any other nation on earth, while ignoring egregious human rights violations that don't suit the interests of the "automatic majority" on the council – a council, by the way, on which Israel has not been able to sit for decades.

Visitor Comments: 11

(10)
David McDonald,
July 29, 2014 11:47 PM

Plenty moral "religious" fog!

I'm going to comment on the above because as a NON religious person un-connected to any faith etc. my heart and soul is truly shaken by the latest events that are happening in your country and the Gazza strip - and all it seems in the name of religion. The peoples and nations of the middle east and surrounding area seem hell bent on death, retribution and destruction, (regardless of the fact that you claim you are the only democratic state in the middle east). Religion brainwash's your kids and in-doctrine's them into your own beliefs thus immediately giving them a "brand" or "tag" to live up to and follow for the rest of their lives. Why not ditch all religions and faiths, teach your kids to follow their own beliefs and instincts. Let them set their own moral commandments and teach them good from evil. This is the way I live my life (now in my 50's). Although there are many unexplained gaps in our knowledge it is becoming clearer by the day that our planet was not created by some god or maker but by some natural scientific event such as the "big bang" theory. I know that this is a simplistic viewpoint but to me religion seems to give an awful lot of people the excuse to go to war. Now if only we could eradicate greed and mans thirst for power then we might see a truly peaceful planet!

Yehudith Shraga,
July 30, 2014 2:06 PM

Some questions to David McDonald

If you are not religious, what do you mean, when you say your "soul"? What do you know about and mean by living according to one's "beliefs and instincts"? If you say there is no G-d what "beliefs" are you talking about?Are you sure that there are different kinds of good and different kinds of evil? Who are those people to whom it becomes clearer, what this world is about? Being in your 50th, are you sure there is anybody, who would wish to follow your way of life? Are you sure that US dropped two atomic bombs on Japan out of their religious differences or they fought Vietman, Iraq, etc.. on the bases of religious differences, or that both world wars had religious motives? Do you think at the age of 50 speaking in "if" sentences grant your point of view any value? Do you know at least, where the greed and thirst for power stem from? Do you know what had triggered "natural scientific event such as the "big bang" ?Do you know what happens to a person and his insticts, if he tries to "eradicate" his greed and desire for power. Are you free of greed and desire for power?- If the answer is yes, tell us how you have managed it, and how the world looks like after it. What country or may be planet are you from, that you are shocked by what is going in our region, don't you know what is going on in other regions of the world?

Why not answering all these questions before giving the pieces of advice to the world or stating that it is clear there is nothing behind the "natural processes".

There is however a glimmer of hope for the beleiver. A visit to the incredible Arabs for Israel's website is very refreshing to the heart of both Arabs and Jews who see clearly and aspire to live in peace !

(7)
Yehudith Shraga,
July 29, 2014 1:17 AM

we are NOT just a nation

It's Jewish belief based on Torah, that we're the chosen people and it's one of the most irritating point of our worldview for the rest of the nations. We were, are, and will always be judged by the double standards, because what is permitted to the other nations is not permitted to the chosen people.The only "document" which proves our Land Legacy is Torah. All Jewish Laws stem out of Torah and Jewish worldview is based on the Wisdom of Torah.We may try to look for alternative ways of life, but we will be judged by others according to the Torah standards, because being chosen means being in accordance with the Torah values, which are the values of the bestowing form of life.The G-d chose us to be THE specialists in spiritual issues and the keepers and promoters of His Wisdom, the Wisdom of converting our getting nature into bestowing one. No matter how cruel the other nations can be, they will judge us by bestowing standards, because we are those who were chosen by G-d to show the world an alternative through our personal lives.Though this deal was done thousands of years ago, our souls were there and we may not say now, that we wish to make some amendments to the Treaty, we MUST live in the Land of Israel by Torah Laws only, we may not blame the other nations for their double standards, because it is the G-d who decided on 620 Mitzvot for us, and only 7 Mitzvot for other nations, we may not use the parts of Treaty which suits our ego interests and close the eyes on those which are uncomfortable for it, one may not be half Jew as well as a woman may not be half pregnant.There's only One Creator, who is after all what is going in the world, and if He exercises on us such a pressure and let the other nations say what they say, it means that He wishes to remind us who we are and what we were chosen for. The freedom of choice in this world is not absolute, it is determined by the choice between the Life and Dearth.

(6)
Anonymous,
July 29, 2014 1:09 AM

Oh Shame, what evil has brought to life

We see each day, claims of what ethnic has brought to life. Life with the enemy. What a terror.

(5)
Raphael,
July 28, 2014 5:58 PM

No moral fog!

Every one of these "winners" knows VERY WELL what is really going on, yet CHOOSES to ignore it. The "fog" is of their own making.

(4)
Anonymous,
July 28, 2014 1:15 AM

Another Moral Fog nominee

Human Rights Watch, and in particular, its Executive Director Ken Roth. HRW conspicuously failed to condemn the kidnapping of the 3 boys and has shown horrendous moral blindness, probably because it promised potential Arab donors that it would condemn Israel were the donors to contribute to HRW. For those of you who have not heard this story, please google Jeffrey Goldberg Human Rights Watch.

(3)
manuel,
July 27, 2014 6:17 PM

Argentina government is a lame duck at this time

I am an Argentinian Jew, most of Argentinian Jewry and a large part of Argentine society is at odds with the foreign policies of our government. I feel shame for my government and I apologize.

(2)
Dvorah,
July 27, 2014 3:21 PM

Here's someone with moral clarity: Pat Condell on Israel vs. Hamas

I haven't heard anyone express it more clearly.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S2mJGMwsOs

(1)
lolly bram seidenfeld,
July 27, 2014 3:21 PM

thank you, David Harris.

Thank you, David Harris, of for your moral clarity and clarity of information.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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